Sydney Harbour Bridge to hold festival of football for the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Staff Writer
FIFA Women's World Cup
Images credit: FIFA & Destination NSW

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Destination NSW have teamed up to transform Sydney’s iconic landmark on Sunday, June 25.

Dubbed the festival of football, it will celebrate the 25 days remaining until the official kick-off of FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The exciting event will provide fantastic views of Sydney, where it will be a celebration of football, culture and community, all free to the public to attend.

As part of the celebration, fans will experience the unique opportunity of walking, jogging or dancing across Sydney Harbour Bridge, acknowledging all participating nations and creating fan engagement activations.

It’s expected that thousands of fans will take part, involving grassroots and multicultural communities, coupled with local and international football legends  FIFA and NSW Government representatives will also be present.

“Football unites the world, and this month on the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge the power of our game to bring people together will once again be showcased,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said via press release:

“This FIFA Women’s World Cup will truly be a unique event and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With its thriving culture and world-class experiences, Sydney is a fantastic location to celebrate the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the perfect setting to rally and unite our communities and create an enticing and distinctive experience that truly goes Beyond Greatness.”

Sydney will be one of the prominent nations throughout the upcoming tournament, hosting 11 matches in two venues, while also having the privilege of hosting the final.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is another mega event for Sydney, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world and millions of dollars in visitor expenditure for the state. NSW is ready to host football fans, families and visitors in Sydney to cheer on their favourite team at one of the biggest tournaments in the world,” Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said via press release.

“Akin to hosting the first Women’s World Cup south of the equator, being part of this activation on our iconic bridge on June 25 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I encourage football fans to get involved in the opportunity to help showcase our state and women’s football to the world.”

The Sydney Harbour Bridge will close to traffic on Sunday, June 25 from 4.00am to 10.30am (local time) for the FIFA Women’s World Cup event. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will remain open, but delays are expected. Trains will continue to operate across the bridge and the footpath and cycleway will remain open. For more information on public transport visit transportnsw.info and for details on road closures visit livetraffic.com.

Click here register to be part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrations.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will run from July 20 – August 20, 2023. To secure your tickets visit fifa.com/tickets.

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Football Victoria Backs Campaign to Shield Junior Players from Gambling Harm

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More than 600 sporting clubs across Victoria have enrolled in a state government program designed to limit young players’ exposure to gambling, with Football Victoria now urging its community clubs to join before a late-July registration deadline.

The Love the Game initiative asks clubs to formally commit to a set of principles: refusing sports betting sponsorships, developing internal harm prevention policies, and building environments where coaches, parents and players are equipped to discuss gambling risks with children.

The program’s public health rationale has a sharper statistical edge than its community-facing materials suggest. A 2025 study of Victorian secondary school students aged 12 to 17 found that nearly 30% had gambled at some point, and among those who had gambled in the past year, 7.5% met the criteria for problem-gambling and a further 26.8% were classified as ‘at-risk’. The research, commissioned by the state government and published earlier this year, also found that students exposed to gambling venues and advertising were more likely to gamble or to do so in a risky manner.

The most recent Victorian Population Gambling Study found that Victorians aged 18 to 24 are the group least likely to gamble overall, yet carry the highest rates of harmful gambling across all age groups. Young people aged 18 to 34 are around five times more likely to bet on sports than older cohorts.

When the data lands at the clubhouse door

Football Victoria’s support for the program reflects a broader recognition within community sport that participation rates and club culture are connected. The environments clubs create shape whether young people stay in sport and what norms they carry with them into adulthood. For football specifically, which draws participants across a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, that responsibility is not evenly distributed. Approximately 440,000 Victorians, or 8.5 per cent of the state’s population, are classified as being at some risk of experiencing problem gambling.

The Victorian Government’s program gives clubs more than symbolic membership. Registered clubs receive practical tools to develop governance frameworks around gambling harm, resources for coaching staff and volunteers, and standing as part of a growing network of clubs taking a formal position on the issue.

Researchers have described the current framing of gambling harm as a matter of personal responsibility as inadequate, arguing it is a public health issue requiring a systemic response. Community football clubs, with their reach into households across the state, are one of the institutional levers available to make that response visible.

Melbourne Victory driving strong partnerships with BYD

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The innovative vehicle manufacturer will join the Victory family as a Major Partner and Exclusive Motor Vehicle Supplier in a 12-month deal.

 

Elite performance, accessible for all

The alliance between Melbourne Victory and BYD reflects both parties’ commitment to progress, efficiency and high performance. It brings together two organisations who share vision and values, two fundamental aspects of any successful partnership.

On one hand is a rapidly growing and community-connected manufacturing company with over 100 sites, intent on providing reliable vehicles to Australian families. On the other, a successful club in the heart of Melbourne, with ambitions to progress on the pitch while regularly engaging with the community.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, commented on the strong foundations of the partnership with BYD.

“Founded only a decade apart, there is a shared history of, and ambition for, continued accelerated growth between Melbourne Victory and BYD.”

“Not only is there a clear alignment of our vision and values to lead, unite, connect and inspire, but a mutual commitment to creating a better future for our communities.”

 

Delivering for the community

As part of the partnership, BYD’s branding will feature on Victory’s home and away jerseys, as well as across the Academy, media and Community assets.

Moreover, the agreement comes as a response from Victory to members and fans’ wishes for not just any vehicle partner, but one which is appropriate and coherent to their day-to-day lives. And as BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Collins, explained, the new energy vehicle manufacturer is driving far more than just passengers.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Melbourne Victory, a club that shares our relentless drive for performance and innovation,” expressed Collins.

“As the exclusive vehicle supplier, we’re not just providing new energy mobility; we’re supporting the team’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”

New energy, new partner and new ambitions for Melbourne Victory, who will compete on the international stage next season in the AFC Champions League Two.

And with a partner like BYD to back them, players and fans in the Victory family will be hoping it is the start of a journey to success.

 

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